“The One About Matthew Perry,” will be released Oct. 27 on Netflix, three years after Perry’s death.
Matthew Perry assistant sentenced to prison in overdose death case
Matthew Perry assistant sentenced to prison
Beloved “Friends” star Matthew Perry is the subject of an upcoming documentary, featuring a conversation with his sister Mia Perry Bowick for the very first time.
“The One About Matthew Perry,” a three-part docuseries with its title serving as a nod to “Friends” episodes, explores the life and legacy of the man most commonly known as the sarcastic Chandler Bing, told through anecdotes from family, friends and collaborators.
“It’s taken time for me to feel ready to share these memories and what it was like to love Matthew through all the complexity of his life − to see him as a whole person, not just as Chandler, and not just as someone who struggled with addiction,” Bowick wrote in a statement.
The upcoming docuseries showcases a raw record of his life from the generous, vulnerable and wisecracking side of Perry to new details about his offscreen battles with drugs and alcohol, according to the logline. The project, directed by Mary Robertson, also traces his 10-season run on “Friends,” and features unreleased images and videos from the Perry family.
To Bowick, Perry touched not only his close companions but generations who watched him on the NBC hit comedy.
“As his sister, he shaped who I am today, the person I strive to be, and the work to which I’ve devoted my life. Matthew had a beautiful heart and a generous spirit, and even in his darkest moments, he could still make you laugh and feel loved,” Bowick continued. “I hope this series gives everyone who loved him, whether personally or from afar, a deeper appreciation for who he truly was, and the legacy he leaves behind.”
The docuseries will air on Oct. 27 on Netflix, just one day short of the three-year anniversary of Perry’s death.
Which family members have spoken up?
The Perry family previously shared a tribute to the “Friends” actor, calling his death a “tragic loss” in an exclusive statement to People in October 2023.
A year later, his mother, Suzanne Perry, spoke on “Today” about her grief and her inability to help him, as they shared a fraught relationship. “There was an inevitability to what was going to happen next to him,” she said.
Perry’s stepfather, Keith Morrison, said he taught the world about the consequences of addiction. His sister Caitlin Morrison, who helped start the Matthew Perry Foundation, added he was “jubilant” whenever he visited. His other sister, Emily Morrison, told “Today,” “All he wanted was to love and to be loved.”
What happened to Matthew Perry?
Perry was found dead in a jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home on Oct. 28, 2023. An autopsy report later determined his death was an accident caused by the acute effects of ketamine. Contributing factors included drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine. At the time of his death, Perry had 3,540 nanograms per milliliter of the drug in his system, whereas a medical examiner reported “levels for general anesthesia are typically in the 1,000-6,000 ng/ml ranges.”
Perry’s former assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, addiction counselor Erik Fleming, “Ketamine Queen” Jasveen Sangha, Dr. Salvador Plasencia and Dr. Mark Chavez were all arrested following an investigation into the overdose. All five defendants have pled guilty and received individiual sentences.
What does Matthew Perry’s memoir say about his battle with drug and alcohol use?
Perry previously documented his private struggles with alcohol and drugs in his 2022 memoir, “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing.” In the book, he discusses complications like alcohol-induced erectile dysfunction, pancreatitis at age 30 and his near-death experience at age 49 due to opioid use. The drug usage led his colon to explode, causing Perry to fall into a coma for two weeks. He spent five months in the hospital and nine additional months with a colostomy bag. “Having had a colostomy bag for nine long months, my therapist’s words hit hard,” he wrote in his memoir. “And when this man’s words hit hard, the prudent thing to do is to get into action immediately.”
In fall 2022, Perry said he was 18 months sober, which meant when the “Friends” reunion aired in May 2021 he was drug- and alcohol-free.
Beyond his 10-season run on the 90s comedy “Friends,” in which he appeared in 234 episodes, he also starred in films like “Fools Rush In,” “Almost Heroes” and “17 Again,” and shows like “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,” and “Mr. Sunshine.”
“Matthew Perry was one of the comedic geniuses of our time,” director Robertson wrote in a statement. “Through his many films, TV and stage performances, and his unforgettable portrayal of Chandler Bing, he made millions of us laugh, connect, and feel a little less alone.”
“He also gave us so much more by bravely speaking about addiction,” she continued. “Yet the public only knew part of his story. That’s why we set out to make this series: to let the people who knew and loved Matthew reveal the person behind the public figure.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.